Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-30
BOX-FACTORY GIRLS.
how THEY COMPARE IN RICHMOND
WITH hEw YORK.
Ours Better Paid and Better Treated-A
Visit 70 a Large Manufsc-
tory

ONlb DtLtbI EdAu Auu AothoA AAOoheN n
Visit TO a Large Manufsc-
tory
On Sundoy the New York World pub
lished an article written by "Nellie
Bly," in which she described the expert
euces she underwent in order to write
intelligently on her subject, "Lite in a
paper-box factory in New York" She
applied for situation, and after being
repeatedly refused because she did
nos know the trade, she was
at last employed, and held her
place several days sufficiently long to
learn the characteristics OF such busi-
ness. Her account is very readable, and
shows that the working girl in the great
city of New York is poorly paid and
often badly treated and imposed upon
by unfeeling and irresistible employers
RICHMOND.
How does the condition of the Rich
mond factory-eirl compare with that OF
her northern sister?
This question yesterday occurred TO a
Dispatch reporter, and he at once took
Steps to answer it. Below is given the
result, which is very gratifying and
highly creditable to Richmond.
RANDOLPH FACTORY.
Messrs. n. V. Randolph { Co. S paper
box factory was visited.
1--WE have about 500 female en-
ployees," sail Major Randolph in re-
sponse to question. Upwards Of
$50 are here in tho factory, and fifty or
more take work at home"
"Yes, l saw Nellie Bly's letter in
Sundays IYorid, and from it ! learned
that girls have to work two weeks for
nothing while they are learning Here
we pay $l.j0 to 81 week from the
start, and have girl to teach beginners.
81 have seen Just such factories in
New York and Boston as that CORE
spondent mentions. Ny experience is
that labor of all kinds, and especially
female labor, is better treated and has
more conveniences and advantages in
tbe South than in the North, and the
factories are better arranged for health
and decency. We never take girl un-
der fourteen years of age but we prefer
them TO be about eighteen or twenty.
If you want to find out anything about
the wages pay or anything else about
the factory you can 90 through it and
ask the girls yourself. We DO not allow
visitors, but for such a purpose you are
welcome"
SINGING.
The reporter said he would like to see
how the boxes were made, and accom-
panying Major Randolph he ascended in
the elevator 10 the second story, where
about $50 women were making pill
boxes. A Joyous tune melodiously
foated through the room, but it sud
I denly stopped when the feminines be-
held the intruder.
\ woman very naturally likes TO ap-
pear at her best always. She doesn't
wish to be seen by strangers at work or
in old, unbecoming garments and these
girls didn't wish a man to come amongst
them in the factory-to invade the Sc
elusive privacy OF their workshop. But
he was there, and he was with the pro-
prietor, too.
ROSY CHEEKS.
One thing in this factory which at
tracts notice mt the first blush is the
healthy, bright, and happy looks of the
girls. No sallow, sickly faces no lugu-
brious. pitiful expressions no delicate,
emaciated frames The girls seem ro-
bust and cheerful, their eyes are bright,
and they do their work as If they en-
ioyed it.
WAGES.
TIE reporter was taken on all four
floors and on each introduced to the
forcwomen or one or more of the girls.
From them he learned that girls make
from SO to $40 a week, according to how
expert they become. Last week one
girl made 3l2.4O. Every opportunity is
given them to make as much as they can.
In the beginning they are taught and
paid while learning. After the first three
weeks they Gre paid "by the piece "
and receive 60 cents per hundred for
the same box the New York girl
gets 45 cents for. Work is light, and
while confning it is not severely
fatiguing. Men and boys run all the
machinery. The males work in different
apartments from the females. Over eight
hundred different kinds of boxes are
made which vary in price from - cents
to $50 gross to jobbers. The girls
work from 7:30 in the morning till 8 in
the evening, half IN hour for dinner.
On each floor they have their apart
ments, and their drcssing-rooms are
fitted mp with individual wsrdrobes in
the wall, where they keep their clothes.
TREATMENT.
Some of the women have been there
for eight or nine years. and every one
with whom the reporter talked spoke in
the highest terms of the kindly aud i'm
partial way in which they are treated by
the proprietor and his subordinates.
Nobody can find any fault here" said
one fair maiden, as shestood by the open
window and the wind blew through her
beautiful hair.
BOX-AlAKING.
The process OF making boxes is quite
interesting 10 one unfamiliar with it.
Every box has 70 be handled several
times-some five, some As many as twenty
or tgenty-fve A hand can make more
money on fine goods than on common
work, and some of the younger girls
make more money than older ones. The
factory is one OF the cleanest, the pro
prietors especially priding themselves
on this. No girl Is employed whose
character is questionable if such fact
can be found out.
CONCLUSION.
To sum up, the Richmond box-factory
girl makes from 81 to s. more per week
than her New York sister she is more
kindly treated she works in more
healthy, comfortable quarters, and she
does not have to work as hard or under
the same disadvantages. Altogether the
Richmond girl should at once be glad
she lives here, and feel sorry for Others
who ere unfortunate enough to be what
"Nellio Bly, calls "a white slave.
Monument to ..The Private Soldier"